Food Allergies

Eve Bend, D.C

Chiropractors & Functional Medicine located in Eastpointe, MI

Food allergies can range from an upset stomach if you’re lactose intolerant to severe anaphylactic shock. Understand your food allergies and get treatment from Eve Bend, DC, in Eastpointe, Michigan. With more than 15 years of experience, Dr. Bend and her team offer comprehensive allergy testing to help you identify and avoid the cause of your allergy symptoms. Call or schedule a visit today to get started.

Food Allergies

What are the signs of a food allergy?

Food allergies can vary in severity and may present a variety of immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions. Common signs of a food allergy include:

Hives

Eczema flare-up

Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Nasal congestion or a runny nose

Itchy mouth or ear canal

Slight, dry cough

Shortness of breath

Drop in blood pressure, including feeling faint or weak

Anaphylaxis

While food allergies are often associated with severe, obvious reactions, some people may exhibit more mild symptoms that are difficult to trace to a specific food. This may mean you feel tired or irritated after eating or have a mild rash or skin irritation.

These symptoms may be traced to specific foods you’re eating and may suggest a mild food allergy — sometimes called a food sensitivity or food intolerance. To determine if foods are causing your symptoms, the team offers comprehensive testing to help you.

What methods test for food allergies?

The team first asks what your symptoms are and how often after eating that you notice these symptoms. In some cases, you may only notice symptoms when eating larger quantities of a particular food. The team uses this information to determine which type of allergy test is best for you.

The traditional method of food testing involves blood and skin tests. For a blood test, the team collects a small sample of your blood to test for the presence of food allergies. With a skin test, they expose specific areas of your skin to common allergens to determine if you have a reaction. Common reactions with a skin test include a rash, bump, hives, or itching at the test site.

A challenge test may also be recommended if you’ve avoided a food for a certain period of time and want to test if you’re still allergic. Under your doctor’s supervision, you’ll eat a small portion of the food to determine if you have a reaction. In some cases, your allergy may go away over time.

What causes food allergies?

A food allergy occurs when your immune system reacts to a certain protein found in the food you’re eating. This immune system reaction causes your allergy symptoms — including rashes, itching, and congestion. The immune system responds in this way due to a mix of genetic and environmental factors.

Food allergies are common among family members and often you’ll experience the same type of allergic reaction as your family. Other types of allergic reactions — including eczema, asthma, and hay fever — may also increase your risk of developing food allergies.

To get tested for food allergies, call or schedule a visit online with Eve Bend, DC.